POTENTIAL gymnasts from the region gathered for a festival aimed at getting youngsters interested in the sport.

Hundreds of people turned out for the event at Spennymoor Leisure Centre yesterday, where Olympic medalists and County Durham gymnastic clubs took part in a series of displays.

Lucy Robinson, North of England Gymnastics development officer, said that there was a wealth of talented gymnasts in the North-East, many of whom attended the event.

She said: "We wanted to give local children the opportunity to come along and try gymnastics. There have been taster sessions and displays by top gymnasts in the County, many of whom are Great Britain squad members."

Among the clubs taking part in the displays were Deerness Valley Gymnastics Club and South Durham Gymnastics Club.

Deerness Valley recently finished second in the world championships in Germany.

South Durham is in the top five for team gymnastics in the women's artistic event. The club recently learned that member Rachel Collinson, 16, from Shildon, has been chosen for Britain's Olympic squad.